Fords Gin Officers' Reserve

Sampling this neat, alongside a taste of the standard Fords Gin, which has been a favorite of mine (rated 5 stars). To be upfront: I'm a fan of barrel-aged gins. I immediately appreciate the Ford bottles and branding. The Officers Reserve is a very pale yellow in the glass, leaving good streaks. The aroma is nearly identical to the standard Fords – strong, clear juniper, a bit of citrus, and some spice in the background, but with more floral vanilla, oak, and fruit. On the palate, juniper and oak tannins lead, with a sweet undertone. There's no ethanol burn (not "hot"!) even at 109 proof; it's very controlled. Robust botanical spices and white pepper emerge as the taste progresses. It has an oily, coating mouthfeel. Citrus and mint notes appear in the finish, which is oaky, sweet, spicy, and lengthy. There's a pleasant tingle, a dryness, and it's softer, sweeter, and more savory than any citrus sourness. It's well-balanced with that wonderful oak character that makes barrel-aged gins so exceptional (yes, exceptional, I enjoy them). It's rounder and more complex on its own than the standard Ford Gin. While both are excellent in their own ways, especially for cocktails with the standard gin, I could see drinking this Officers Reserve barrel-aged version straight. An ice cube tempers the alcohol content and softens the botanicals without diminishing that oaky, spicy botanical profile. Seek this one out, especially if you prefer whiskey – an oaky Gin & Tonic might just be a pleasant surprise (which I'm enjoying tonight). I wish it were more readily available locally, but I'll savor it while I can and will report on some cocktails later.

I finally had the opportunity to try this and compared it to the standard Ford's Gin; a friend was right, something was lost when they increased the proof. That said, it is an outstanding gin that is smooth and well-crafted, but it's not superior to the regular offering. The nose is very similar to the standard; I didn't notice much difference even when comparing them side-by-side. In a Martini, a friend's assessment is accurate – it makes an excellent drink. I usually make them 3 to 1, and I had Dolin Dry available and used that. The only alteration I made was adding a few dashes of grapefruit bitters to the second one to try and enhance the citrus notes in each gin, and it was very pleasant. Also, this gin requires you to be prepared for its strength when you drink it. It is smooth and can catch you off guard. A Gin and Tonic and Gimlet are both nice but no better than the regular version. I will say this: if I had tried this one first, it might have tasted better, but the standard Ford's is a superior gin at a better price. In my area, this costs about $5 more and is not a better product. Enjoy.

Slightly burns the nose. The heat and alcohol flavor overpower the botanicals. Only a hint of juniper.